Children's Museums

Donner-Reed Museum

Name: Donner-Reed Museum
Address: 90 N Cooley St, Grantsville, UT 84029, Grantsville, UT, US
Telephone: (435) 884-3259
Rating: 4.7

★★★★☆ 4.7 (40 reviews)

📍 90 N Cooley St, Grantsville, UT 84029

📞 (435) 884-3259

🌐 www.donner-reed-museum.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

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About Donner-Reed Museum

Donner-Reed Museum is a children's museum in Grantsville, UT. The museum houses artifacts from the Donner-Reed Party, including an authentic pioneer wagon and items that were buried in sand for many years, making them rare surviving pieces from this significant 1846-1847 historical event. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 40 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Natural History Museum
Location: Grantsville, Utah
Focus: Donner-Reed Party history and artifacts
Visit Options: By appointment or Memorial Day weekend

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The museum houses artifacts from the Donner-Reed Party, including an authentic pioneer wagon and items that were buried in sand for many years, making them rare surviving pieces from this significant 1846-1847 historical event
🏛️The museum features exhibits related to the West Desert Hastings Cut-off, a lesser-known variant route of the Oregon Trail that the Donner-Reed Party attempted
⭐The museum is normally open by appointment only, with limited public access on Memorial Day weekend, making it a particularly exclusive historical attraction in Utah
⭐The museum includes artifacts from both Native Americans and early pioneers, representing multiple perspectives on the region's settlement history

💬 What Visitors Say

💡Call Craig Anderson at 435-884-3259 in advance to schedule a guided tour—reviewers consistently praised the knowledgeable guides as 'gifted storytellers' who significantly enhance the experience by sharing detailed Donner-Reed Party history and context for the artifacts.
🕐Plan to visit during Memorial Day weekend when the museum is open to the public without requiring an appointment, or be prepared to call ahead for group/family appointments since regular hours are by appointment only.
💬Allow 1-2 hours for your visit and plan to explore both indoor artifacts (old Bible, maps, pioneer items) and outdoor exhibits (authentic wagons, cabins, blacksmith shop, jail) that are accessible even without an appointment.
💡Bring children—multiple reviewers noted kids were 'fascinated' by the blacksmith shop, old cabin, wagon, and unusual artifacts like the 'Mormon crickets,' making this especially engaging for family educational visits.
💡Stop by even without an appointment if passing through Grantsville to see the outdoor exhibits, cabins, wagons, and plaques at no cost—this gives you a preview of the Donner Party story without interior museum access.